Simon Patrick on the Proverbs
1683
Chapter 4:1-13
1. "Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding." Listen then all ye, that are desirous to learn, unto the instructions which out of a paternal affection I bring from God unto you: hearken to them, though they correct your present manners; and let your mind be so attentive, that you may know what it is to have a right understanding in all things.
2. "For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law." They are no frivolous or indifferent matters which I teach you; but the most excellent things, and absolutely necessary to your happiness: therefore do not merely attend to them, but strictly observe my precepts, as the law and rule of your life.
3. "For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother." Do as I myself did, who remember that when I was a child, the son of a most wise and pious father, and under the careful eye of an affectionate mother who loves me most dearly above all her children, and while I was soft and flexible and apt to receive good impressions, looked to my education with great circumspection.
4. "He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live." My father was wont to tutor and instruct me (1 Chron. 28:8; 29:28Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. (1 Chronicles 28:8)
2Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. (1 Chronicles 29:2)) saying, "Mind my words and faithfully retain them, not only in thy memory, but in thy affections: observe my commandments, and thou shalt enjoy long happiness.”
5. "Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth." And this is the thing I require of thee; not so much to seek after riches, as to treasure up wisdom; and endeavor to understand how to behave thy self upon all occasions; and when thou art well informed in thy duty, do not forget it, nor turn aside from the way into which I will direct thee.
6. "Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee." Quit all things in this world rather than forsake the precepts of wisdom; stick to them and they will preserve thee from innumerable mischief; love them sincerely, and they will be a stronger guard than money can procure thee.
7. "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." And as there is nothing comparable to wisdom, so the first step to it is to know as much, and to prize it accordingly. Begin therefore to be wise by looking upon the fear of God as above all earthly possessions, and by being willing, if it were needful, to give all thou art worth to know what is pleasing to Him.
8. "Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her." Thou canst not speak nor think too highly of this wisdom, as thou shalt find by happy experience. For if thou magnify it above all things, it will raise thy esteem and make thee great in the world; yea, when thou entertainest it with ardent love, thou shalt become most illustrious in the sight of God and men.
9. "She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee." Whatsoever else thou hast to commend thee and gain thee honor, this shall add unto it, and make it far more amiable: the fairest ornaments or the most beautiful crown that can be set upon thy head, shall receive luster from hence; and be settled there the more securely.
10. "Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many." Thus my father was wont to discourse to me, as I do to thee, my son; whom I earnestly again entreat to consider what I say, and to believe it that thou may lead a long and happy life.
11. "I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths." I have already taught thee and will still inform thee in the wisest course unto it; not in those crooked ways of fraud and falseness, etc., which many take; but in the directs paths of integrity and truth in which I intend, as I have done hitherto, to lead thee.
12. "When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble." And if thy actions and designs have no other rule, thou shalt be at ease, and free from those straits and difficulties which others meet withal: and in case thy business shall require haste, this will be the safest, as well as the most inoffensive (if not the shortest) way to accomplish thy ends.
13. "Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life." Resolve to try it, and though it should be contrary to thy present sense, yet do not refuse this instruction which I give thee; but take such fast hold of it, as never for want of care and pains, to let it slip out of thy mind: keep it as a most precious treasure, for all thy happiness depends upon it.